North Korea fires short-range missiles in first launch in two months
SUMMARY
North Korea has fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast, marking its first missile launch in over two months. The missiles, launched from Pyongyang around 7:10 a.m. local time, traveled approximately 220 miles before plunging into the sea, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. Japan's defense ministry confirmed the launch of at least two ballistic missiles. The move, condemned by both South Korea and Japan, is seen as a provocation amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The launch comes just days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to expand the country's nuclear arsenal and ensure readiness for use "at any given time." The missiles may have been launched in response to recent joint military drills between South Korea and the U.S., or potentially as part of testing for export to Russia. North Korea is suspected of supplying Russia with weapons for use in the Ukraine war, an accusation both Moscow and Pyongyang deny.
